Groups seek to challenge U.S. gov’t on seized laptops
The policy of random laptop searches and seizures by U.S. government agents at border crossings is under attack again, with a pair of civil rights groups seeking potential plaintiffs for a lawsuit that challenges the practice, PC World reports. The American Civil Liberties Union is working with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to find lawyers whose laptops or other electronic devices were searched at U.S. points of entry and exit.
Barnes & Noble unveils textbook rental service for colleges
Bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. is launching a textbook rental program for college students, making it the newest entrant in a growing field, and officials at book rental services say the announcement will raise college students’ awareness of the burgeoning market.
‘Baby Einstein’ founder takes university to court, seeking research data
A co-founder of the company that created the “Baby Einstein” videos has asked a judge to order the University of Washington to release records relating to two studies that linked television viewing by young children to attention problems and delayed language development, reports the New York Times.
France plans its own rival to Google Books
France’s culture minister on Jan. 12 unveiled a plan to develop what he hopes will prove a uniquely Gallic competitor to Google Books, reports the Associated Press.
Google Docs upgrades storage to all file types
Users of Google Apps for Education now will be able to store photos, videos, and other media files on Google Docs, after Google announced an upgrade to its service.
University seeks new ruling in turf war over online degree program
State university leaders in Maryland, in what they call a quest to expand college access to students across the state, are working to reverse an October decision by the Maryland Higher Education Commission that quashed an online doctoral program because it duplicated a face-to-face program at the historically black Morgan State University, reports the Baltimore Sun.
States lower test standards for a high school diploma
On the way to creating a statewide exit test for graduation, many states have softened standards, delayed the requirement, or added alternative paths to a high school diploma, reports the New York Times.
Going rogue: IT officials fight student-run web networks
Campus technology officials say there’s only one surefire way to stop students from creating their own wireless internet connections in dormitories and creating a security risk for computer users: provide reliable wireless access across campus.
Blindness groups, ASU settle lawsuit over Kindle
Two organizations representing the blind have settled a discrimination lawsuit against Arizona State University over its use of Amazon’s Kindle e-reader device.
The children of cyberspace: Old fogies by their 20s
Researchers theorize that the ever-accelerating pace of technological change might be creating a series of mini-generation gaps, with each group of children uniquely influenced by the tech tools available in their formative stages of development, reports the New York Times.